CNA Basic Nursing Skills 12 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When applying a cold pack to a patient's injury, what is the maximum recommended application time to prevent tissue damage?
- 10 minutes
- 20 minutes (Correct answer)
- 45 minutes
- 60 minutes
Correct answer: 20 minutes
Cold packs should be applied for no more than 20 minutes at a time to prevent frostbite and tissue damage.
Question 2: A patient who uses a hearing aid tells the CNA the device is not working. What should the CNA check first?
- Schedule an audiology appointment
- Check and replace the battery (Correct answer)
- Clean the ear canal with a cotton swab
- Contact the charge nurse immediately
Correct answer: Check and replace the battery
A dead or weak battery is the most common cause of hearing aid malfunction and should be checked first.
Question 3: When performing passive range-of-motion exercises, the CNA should stop immediately if the patient:
- Closes their eyes during the exercise
- Reports pain or resistance is felt in the joint (Correct answer)
- Breathes faster during the movement
- Asks to rest between repetitions
Correct answer: Reports pain or resistance is felt in the joint
Pain or resistance during ROM exercises indicates possible injury risk, and the CNA must stop and report to the nurse.
Question 4: Which action is correct when measuring and recording urinary output from a urinal?
- Estimate the amount visually and record
- Measure at eye level using a graduated container (Correct answer)
- Pour into the toilet and record the color only
- Measure while holding the container above eye level
Correct answer: Measure at eye level using a graduated container
Measuring at eye level with a graduated container ensures an accurate reading by eliminating parallax error.
Question 5: A resident's advance directive states they do not want CPR. The resident becomes unresponsive. What should the CNA do?
- Begin CPR immediately
- Call for the nurse and follow the documented care plan (Correct answer)
- Ask the family for permission before acting
- Attempt CPR until the nurse arrives
Correct answer: Call for the nurse and follow the documented care plan
The CNA must respect the resident's legal advance directive by calling the nurse and following the established do-not-resuscitate care plan.
Question 6: When shaving a male resident with a safety razor, the CNA should shave in which direction?
- Against the direction of hair growth
- In the direction of hair growth (Correct answer)
- In circular motions only
- Across the grain at 45-degree angles
Correct answer: In the direction of hair growth
Shaving in the direction of hair growth reduces irritation and the risk of cuts or razor burn.
Question 7: A patient on droplet precautions requires assistance. Which PPE must the CNA wear before entering the room?
- Gloves only
- Gown and gloves only
- Surgical mask and gloves (Correct answer)
- N95 respirator and full face shield
Correct answer: Surgical mask and gloves
Droplet precautions require a surgical mask and gloves at minimum to protect against respiratory droplets.
CNA Basic Nursing Skills 12 3
When applying a cold pack to a patient's injury, what is the maximum recommended application time to prevent tissue damage?